Donald Trump blamed Sen. Bernard Sanders‘ supporters Sunday for inciting protests at his rallies, and vowed to send his own supporters to Sanders‘ events, as the GOP front-runner continued to court controversy ahead of Tuesday’s slate of primaries.
Liberal pressure groups continued to cheer on the protests, saying Mr. Trump had gone outside the bounds of acceptable political discussion, but Mr. Trump’s backers called the attempts to shut down his rallies an affront to free speech.
Mr. Trump, for his part, hinted at retaliation.
“Bernie Sanders is lying when he says his disruptors aren’t told to go to my events,” Mr. Trump tweeted. “Be careful Bernie, or my supporters will go to yours!”
The issue came to a head Friday as Mr. Trump canceled a rally in Chicago after protesters showed in strength to protest. It was the latest instance in what’s become a running series of high-profile disruptions at Mr. Trump’s massive rallies.
On Saturday a man tried to rush the stage and grab Mr. Trump in Dayton, Ohio, but was blocked by Secret Service agents who have been assigned to protect Mr. Trump, his campaign said.
His speech was repeatedly interrupted by other protesters.
“I hope they arrest these people, because, honestly, they should be,” Mr. Trump said. “The only way to stop the craziness is to press charges.”
Protesters were preparing for another round Sunday night at a Trump rally in Boca Raton, coming through the gates with homemade signs reading “Stop the hate.”
Kate Newton, one of the protesters, said she came in peace and was asked to leave the rally once she showed her sign.
“Trump came here to spread vitriolic, xenophobic hate, and I have my First Amendment right to come here and protest it,” said Ms. Newton, a supporter of Mr. Sanders.
David Ravanesi, a Trump volunteer at the event, said Ms. Newton was only asked to take down her sign and was not asked to leave the event. Ms. Newton decided to leave on her own.
Mr. Ravanesi said all homemade signs were being taken, and only signs issued by the Trump organization were to be allowed.
Indeed, signs reading “Trump Lives Matter” and “Build that Wall” were both confiscated earlier in the night.
The Boca Raton event had a so-called special section for protesters outside of the event’s gates, and before the rally started, a man on a loudspeaker told protesters to leave, as this was a private event paid for and rented out by Mr. Trump. An announcement was also made to attendees not to touch any protesters that may appear during the event but to point them out to security.
Via Washington Times
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